Autocar March 27, 2019

“IF WE FIND areas where partners and co-operations make sense to give better cars to customers and returns to shareholders, I’m very open.” So says Fiat Chrysler Automobiles boss Mike Manley on the topic of mergers. “If the opportunity comes, we will consider it,” says PSA Group chief Carlos Tavares on the same subject. And with Robert Peugeot, chairman of PSA’s holding company, saying that it would support a merger or acquisition with FCA, is such a deal a question of when not if? Read what Tavares, surely the industry’s most successful leader of the past few years, says about the challenges facing the European car business (p22), and such super-mergers seem inevitable. The investments needed to create cars that meet upcoming emissions legislation are so vast. A PSA-FCA merger would give the former…

“It’s likely to incorporate a drift mode similar to that in the new Mercedes-AMG A45” Volkswagen’s R performance division has reignited a development programme on a “close to 400bhp” Golf R Plus model as a range-topping rival to the Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3. The four-wheel-drive machine would sit above the planned Golf R version in the line-up of the eighth-generation model. Under its skin, it would rely on hardware and technology from the seventh-generation Golf R400 concept shown in 2014 and the Golf TCR race car developed by Volkswagen Motorsport. The secret model is being developed alongside the standard version of the new Golf R at VW’s R&D headquarters in Braunschweig, Germany. VW insiders have claimed it will be the “most extreme and powerful Golf yet”. As an indicator of its potential performance,…

Golf R (2017) The outgoing Golf R was billed as the ‘ultimate Golf’, with four-wheel drive, upgraded suspension, a lower ride height and a 306bhp version of VW’s EA888 powerplant. An optional Performance pack included further tweaks to reduce weight and increase downforce. Golf R400 concept (2014) The ‘mega-hatch’ concept that inspired the R Plus was unveiled in 2014 with a 395bhp version of the EA888 engine taken from the Audi TT. It also had four-wheel drive and weighed 1420kg, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 278bhp per tonne. Golf W12-650 prototype (2007) This one-off used the 6.0-litre W12 engine from the Phaeton, mid-mounted in place of the rear seats and driving through a six-speed automatic gearbox. It produced 641bhp and gave a 0-62mph time of 3.7sec and a 202mph top speed.…

“IF WE FIND areas where partners and co-operations make sense to give better cars to customers and returns to shareholders, I’m very open.” So says Fiat Chrysler Automobiles boss Mike Manley on the topic of mergers. “If the opportunity comes, we will consider it,” says PSA Group chief Carlos Tavares on the same subject. And with Robert Peugeot, chairman of PSA’s holding company, saying that it would support a merger or acquisition with FCA, is such a deal a question of when not if? Read what Tavares, surely the industry’s most successful leader of the past few years, says about the challenges facing the European car business (p22), and such super-mergers seem inevitable. The investments needed to create cars that meet upcoming emissions legislation are so vast. A PSA-FCA merger…

The new Porsche Cayenne Coupé, a rakishly restyled version of the brand’s largest SUV, will take direct aim at the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. Key styling changes over the ‘regular’ Cayenne include the adoption of a shallower windscreen and a more heavily curved roofline that extends back to form an integral part of a large liftback-style tailgate. Redesigned rear doors and wider bumpers also bring an additional 18mm in width, while the rear numberplate has been repositioned into the bumper. As with the Cayenne, the Cayenne Coupé has an active rear spoiler. It works in combination with a roof spoiler, extending by 135mm at speeds above 56mph to provide additional downforce. “The Coupé includes all the technical highlights of the current, third-generation Cayenne but has a design that is more progressive, athletic and…

Why make the Cayenne Coupé now? “The inspiration comes from the 911. By cleverly creating derivatives, we have shown how you can keep interest up in a car.” Are there other derivatives to come, then? “We can go further, yes. We have some ideas in an even more sporty direction, for instance.” Would you consider a three-door coupé? “No, that’s not in the plan.” You’ll launch an electric Macan in 2021, alongside a petrol model. How long will that continue? “For at least two years. At that point, we can decide whether to upgrade the combustion engines to the new Euro 7 [emissions] standard or go full electric.” How many deposits for the Porsche Taycan do you have now? “Around 20,000 have paid. Production was set at 20,000 cars a year. We may have to raise that.” When will you…